Stuart Gene “Stu” Root, 87, of Bellefontaine, passed away peacefully at 1:25 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2020, at his home. He was born on Sept. 18, 1932, a son of the late Harold and Mary (Johnson Mother) Root and Josephine Root (Stepmother).
On Jan. 28, 1955, Stuart married the former Janet L. Griffey in Columbus, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 1, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his sister Doris Straight; three step-sisters, Ruth, Marty, and Mary; and two step-brothers, Chuck and John Saikas.
Stuart is survived by his two children, Mark (Rosanna) Root of Lancaster and Teri (Donald) Murad of Perrysburg; three grandchildren, Casey (Amy) Root, Shane Root (fiancé Rosee Cooper), Kristen Murad; six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; a brother, Jerry (Andrea) Root of Powell; and several nieces and nephews.
Stuart had worked as a union printer until his retirement at age 62. He’d enjoyed playing in a softball league in his early working years and taking family vacations to the Smoky mountains. Stuart was the consummate family man that spent his summers taking his kids on vacation with his uncles and cousins and enjoyed on many river and water-skiing trips. Stu spent his winters rabbit and pheasant hunting with his brother Jerry and his son Mark. Once retired, he loved fishing and pontooning and the simple life on Indian Lake. He also continued his passion for model train sets and loved life with his wife and best friend, Janet.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine. Pastor Edward Engelbrecht will officiate a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 80 E. Markison St., in Columbus. Burial will follow in Harrison Township Cemetery in South Bloomfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to Universal Home Health & Hospice, 921 Rush Avenue, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Bellefontaine and online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.edsfh.com.